Putting Your Foot Down: The Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease Quiz

Think you know the difference between hand, foot and mouth disease and the similarly named hoof and mouth disease? Or does the thought of explaining the difference have you placing your own foot in your mouth? It's time to put your knowledge to the test.

Start Quiz »

You scored

0 out of 20

Question 1 of 20

At what time of year does hand, foot and mouth disease usually show up in the U.S.?

summer and fall

In places with temperate climates, like the United States, hand, foot and mouth disease usually appears in summer and early fall.

fall and winter

spring and summer

Question 2 of 20

Who usually gets hand, foot and mouth disease?

immunocompromised adults

young children

It's usually children under the age of 5 who get hand, foot and mouth disease, although adolescents and adults can get it, too. Cattle and swine can become infected with hoof and mouth disease, which, while it sounds similar, is a completely different virus.

cattle

Question 3 of 20

How long does it usually take hand, foot and mouth disease to go away?

a week

The symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease usually disappear in a week, although it's possible for the virus to go on living in the GI or respiratory tract for a very long time afterward.

a month

two weeks

Question 4 of 20

What virus usually causes hand, foot and mouth disease?

Human Papilloma Virus

Coxsackievirus A16

The most common culprit behind hand, foot and mouth disease is Coxsackievirus A16.

Coronavirus 71

Question 5 of 20

You can NOT catch hand, foot and mouth disease from:

saliva

feces

pets

You can catch hand, foot and mouth disease from saliva, sputum, stools, the fluid from the blisters -- any kind of bodily fluid. You cannot catch it from pets.

Question 6 of 20

What illness is sometimes confused with hand, foot and mouth disease?

cold sores

herpangina

It's easy to confuse the mouth blisters of hand, foot and mouth disease with those of herpangina. The latter illness does not cause skin rashes, and the blisters are usually in a different place in the mouth.

encephalitis

Question 7 of 20

How is hand, foot and mouth disease usually diagnosed?

by its visible symptoms

Because its physical symptoms are so distinctive, a doctor can usually diagnose hand, foot and mouth disease just by looking at someone.

with a throat culture

with a blood test

Question 8 of 20

What is a serious possible complication of hand, foot and mouth disease?

permanent scarring

encephalitis

Although rare, it's possible for some strains of the hand, foot and mouth disease virus to lead to serious complications like meningitis and encephalitis.

oral thrush

Question 9 of 20

Which of these is NOT a symptom of dehydration?

bruises

The symptoms of dehydration include dry skin, dark or decreased urine and sunken eyes. Dehydration does not cause bruising.

dark urine

dry skin

Question 10 of 20

You can make your own mouth rinse at home to help the mouth blisters of hand, foot and mouth disease. The ingredients are:

salt and water

A warm saltwater rinse might be just what the doctor ordered for hand, foot and mouth disease.

sugar and tea

milk and honey

Question 11 of 20

Which hand, foot and mouth disease-causing virus is more prevalent in Asia than in the U.S.?

Coxsackievirus A16

Herpes simplex

Enterovirus 71

Enterovirus 71 is more commonly found in Asia than in the United States, and its effects are often deadlier.

Question 12 of 20

When applying antibiotic cream to burst blisters, you should:

wear a mask

use a washcloth

wear gloves

When treating burst skin blisters, wear gloves! The virus can be spread from the fluid.

Question 13 of 20

Should oral antibiotics be used for hand, foot and mouth disease?

No

Antibiotics don't work for viruses. All you'll do is build up your resistance to an antibiotic you might need later, and then it won't work as well.

Yes

Doctors are divided on the issue.

Question 14 of 20

Children with hand, foot and mouth disease often experience loss of:

balance

appetite

Hand, foot and mouth disease can lead to loss of appetite. Loss of balance or memory points to something else entirely.

memory

Question 15 of 20

What is malaise?

a low-grade fever

a feeling of boredom

a feeling of general lack of well-being

A malaise is a feeling of general discomfort and lack of well-being. You might have referred to it as feeling "out of sorts." It's often a symptom of impending illness.

Question 16 of 20

What is another name for the small blisters that appear with hand, foot and mouth disease?

vesicles

Vesicles are another name for the blisters. Petechia are purple spots on the skin caused by tiny hemorrhages, and keloids are an excess of scar tissue. (Not related to hand, foot and mouth disease, but good to know!)

petechia

keloids

Question 17 of 20

Where is one area the skin rash of hand, foot and mouth disease only rarely appears?

buttocks

Hand, foot and mouth disease rash only rarely appears on the buttocks. It does not affect the eyes. ("Hands" was a freebie.)

hands

eyes

Question 18 of 20

Does hand, foot and mouth disease cause nail loss?

Yes

No

Researchers are unsure.

There have been reports of nail loss with hand, foot and mouth disease, but no one is sure if the two are connected.

Question 19 of 20

What drug should you NOT give to children under the age of 14?

aspirin

Don't give aspirin to kids under the age of 14. It can lead to a serious illness called Reye syndrome.